Hazard mitigation funding for Harvey recovery becomes available
AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott traveled to Rockport and Houston on Feb. 13 to announce the availability of new funding for hazard mitigation projects along the Gulf Coast following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.

DUMAS – Longtime Moore County News Press Editor Gardner Collins died Dec. 14 in Amarillo at the age of 85.
Collins spent 30 years with the News-Press, retiring in 1994. Five years later, he was inducted into the Panhandle Press Hall of Fame.

WEIMAR – A memorial service for Bruce Wayne Beal, owner, publisher and editor of the Weimar Mercury, was held Jan. 13 at the First United Methodist Church of Weimar.
He died Jan. 7 in Houston, at the age of 68.

It’s time to get entries in for the 2018 Texas Better Newspaper Contest.
TPA member newspapers are invited to upload entries through the Texas BNC online contest platform. Access the platform at www.texaspress.com/bnc and click on the ENTER NOW button. Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. March 22.

Straus: Audit reveals need for stronger oversight at state agency
AUSTIN — House Speaker Joe Straus on Jan. 31 said a new state audit raises questions about the management of the state Health and Human Services Commission and illustrates the need for legislative hearings.

Governors urge congressional leaders to pass disaster aid funding
AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott and the governors of California, Puerto Rico and Florida on Jan. 24 asked U.S. House and Senate leaders to hurry up and pass supplemental disaster funding, and to send the legislation to President Trump.

Hurricane recovery efforts continue with much still to do
AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on Jan. 17 extended for 30 days the state disaster declaration for counties affected by Hurricane Harvey, which pounded and flooded the Gulf Coast and moved deeply inland, spreading its destructive power.

DPS acts to prevent violent confrontations at capitol
AUSTIN — Enhanced security measures have been implemented at the state capitol complex and capitol grounds, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced Jan. 11.

There is an overly narrow and dangerous proposal working through the U.S. Department of Commerce with a very real potential of making access to your local newspaper and the valuable content more expensive and difficult to gather.

Texas waits for Senate agreement on disaster aid funding
AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on Dec. 21 released a statement applauding the U.S. House of Representatives’ preliminary passage of $81 billion in disaster aid to Texas, several other states and Puerto Rico.

Congress has passed federal income tax reform legislation with no mention of an advertising tax. Newspaper publishers and others who depend on advertising for their livelihood can breathe a sigh of relief.

About TPA

The association promotes the welfare of Texas newspapers, encourages higher standards of journalism, and plays an important role in protecting the public’s right to know as an advocate of First Amendment liberties.